The National Assembly today rejected the Economic and Finance Committee’s recommendation to re-prioritize waste and stray dog flagship programme in wake of the economic downturn due to COVID-19 with 35 votes.
The Committee made the recommendation while presenting the review report on National Budget for Financial Year 2020-2021 at the National Assembly today.
Around Nu 248.5M has been allocated for waste and stray dog management flagship programmes according to the budget report.
The Committee observed that the budget allocated for waste and stray dog management flagship programme was unproductive and therefore proposed the government to re-allocate the budget to more productive sectors that would contribute to the revival of the economy.
A member of the Committee, MP Dorji Wangdi, said that since the revenue from the tourism sector has been affected, it is not sure if the government will be able to meet the recurrent expenditure from domestic revenue next year as well. “So our recommendation is that we could use the budget in productive sectors, which could revive our economy.”
Except for the Committee members, most parliamentarians felt the need for waste and stray dog management budget for containment of COVID-19 and also for the productivity of other flagship programmes.
Opposition Leader Dr Pema Gyamtsho said that the budget for waste and stray dog management must be kept as it is as improper management of waste could spread diseases. “Moreover, if we don’t manage the medical waste from hospital properly, there is a high risk of spreading Coronavirus,” he said.
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said it is important to understand that Nu 250M is not for general programs. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, jobs will be created through this,” said Lyonchen.
Agriculture Minister Yeshey Penjor said that both waste and stray dogs could spread diseases. “So it can hamper the health management budget and waste affects drinking water, irrigation. and agricultural products.”
Tshering Zam/ Sangay Chezom
